Upstate Merchant Advocates

07/04/2026

07/02/2026

Some of us take fighting for small business very seriously. 👆

Over the last 20 years I've saved businesses an average of 15–30% on their processing fees — and some didn't just save — they eliminated processing fees entirely with a Cash Discount program.

No contracts. Free equipment. Just someone finally in your corner.

DM me. Let's bring those fees back down to earth. 🌎

06/17/2026

Upstate SC business owners — if you’re running SkyTab or Shift4, this notice is worth your attention.

Effective July 1, 2026, Shift4 is rolling two separate annual fees into one $2,000 annual billing every August for many of their merchants. They’re framing it as a convenience. Your wallet may see it differently.

There are better options out there — modern, full-featured point-of-sale solutions at a fraction of the cost, with no hidden reshuffling of fees.

Curious what else is out there? Send me a DM and let’s talk.

04/01/2026

In a stunning development that sent shockwaves through the financial industry and caused several payment processing consultants to spit out their morning coffee, Visa and Mastercard jointly announced Tuesday that they will immediately and permanently eliminate all credit card processing fees for merchants worldwide.

Link below for details...

Upstate Merchant Advocates The Merchant Gazette Your Trusted Source for Payment Processing News · Special Edition Wednesday, April 1, 2026  ·  Vol. 1, No. 1 Upstate South Carolina Breaking Visa & Mastercard Announce They Will No Longer Charge Businesses Any Credit Card Processing Fees "We just f...

03/11/2026

🚨 Exciting News for Retail Businesses! 🚨

We’re thrilled to announce that Upstate Merchant Advocates is now offering Material POS, a cutting-edge point-of-sale solution designed specifically for independent retailers.

If you own any of the following, this system is definitely worth checking out:

• Boutique or clothing store
• Gift shop
• Pet supply store
• Jewelry store
• Home décor shop
• V**e or smoke shop
• Specialty retail business

Material POS seamlessly connects your in-store sales, online orders, inventory management, loyalty programs, and marketing—everything you need in one powerful platform. It’s a direct competitor to popular systems like Shopify, Lightspeed POS, and Clover POS, but with more flexibility and superior integration between in-store and e-commerce.

At Asheville Merchant Advocates, we specialize in pairing the right payment processing with the right technology, helping business owners improve their checkout experience while reducing unnecessary fees.

If you’re currently using Shopify, Clover, or Lightspeed, and feel there might be a better solution out there, we’re here to show you how Material POS can transform your operations.

We’re now offering live demos to walk you through the system.

💬 Shoot me a DM
📞 864-973-7679

Message us or give us a call to learn more about how Material POS can streamline your business!

02/07/2026

Give Upstate Merchant Advocates a call to understand what your real options are for a better processing system.

864-906-2386

12/19/2025

We have the privilege of partnering with incredible business owners across the Upstate, including Golden Oak Liquors.

Margie and her team have designed a beautifully elegant shop where questions are welcomed to ensure your selection hits the mark.

Here's a quick clip to give you a taste as to why you should stop by Golden Oak Liquors for your bottled needs, especially if you're planning some holiday libations.

If you're a business owner looking to upgrade your POS, or would like a free audit of your current payment processing, we're here to help.


PayBright COMBASE USA,

12/15/2025

Clearly this business owner cares about his/her customers, as they went the extra mile to make this metal sign to provide transparency in pricing.

Unfortunately the business owner is not aware that surcharges are capped at 3% and anything over are subject to fines of up to $25,000.

I would encourage every business owner, who is on Cash Discount/Dual Pricing or true Surcharging, to reach out to their payment processor to ensure they are compliant with Visa/MC's most recent regulations.

If your agent is unresponsive, or you would simply like a set of fresh eyes on your payment processing, I'd be happy to assist. Shoot me a DM or schedule a free 15 minute consultation at the link below.

https://calendly.com/discovery-call-with-derek/15min

12/11/2025

It’s imperative that Business Owners take a few minutes to understand the new changes to Visa’s interchange program, as they could see their rates double in 2026 if they are not set up properly.

Thankfully Upstate Merchant Advocates partners with PayBright, so we always have our finger on the pulse of the industry.

Shoot me a DM if you’d like a free consult to ensure you’re positioned to take advantage of Visa’s changes in 2026!

When discounts depend on data, merchants get squeezed if they’re using outdated systems or shallow integrations.

“I think that there are going to be merchants that are completely blindsided and shocked by what happens,” says PayBright CEO Dustin Magaziner in a recent Payments Dive article. "It’s ten, maybe hundreds of thousands of merchants, that are going to see increased rates.”

At PayBright, we’re already positioning agents and merchants to adapt with flexible POS, full-data support, and smarter tools.

👉 Read the full article here https://www.paymentsdive.com/news/visa-credit-card-payments-interchange-fee-program-data-discounts/802724/